Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
NJG 4
Battles/wars
Awards
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
Other workWine business

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (16 February 1922 – 15 July 1950) was a German

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, Germany's highest military decoration at the time, on 16 October 1944.[Note 2] He was nicknamed "The Spook of St. Trond
", from the location of his unit's base in occupied Belgium.

Born in

Operation Cerberus, the breakout of the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen from Brest. Schnaufer participated in the Defence of the Reich campaign from 1942 onwards, in which he would achieve most of his success. He claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 1/2 June 1942. As the war progressed, he accumulated further victories and later became a squadron leader and group commander. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
on 31 December 1943 for reaching 42 aerial victories.

Schnaufer achieved his 100th aerial victory on 9 October 1944 and was awarded the Diamonds to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords on 16 October. He was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 (NJG 4) on 4 November. By the end of hostilities, Schnaufer's night-fighter crew held the unique distinction that every member—radio operator and air gunner—was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Schnaufer was taken prisoner of war by British forces in May 1945. After his release a year later, he returned to his home town and took over the family wine business. He sustained injuries in a road accident on 13 July 1950 during a wine-purchasing visit to France, and died in a Bordeaux hospital two days later.

Early life

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was born on 16 February 1922 in Calw, located in the Free People's State of Württemberg of the German Reich, during the Weimar Republic era.[3] He was the first of four children of mechanical engineer and merchant Alfred Schnaufer and his wife Martha, née Frey. The other three children were his brother Manfred, his sister Waltraut and his brother Eckart.[Note 3] His father owned and operated the family business, the winery Schnaufer-Schlossbergkellerei (lit. "Schnaufer's Castle Mountain Winery"), in the Lederstraße, Calw.[5]

A colour photograph of a timber framed house with a red truck standing in front.
House Schnaufer
Home of the Schlossbergkellerei

The winery had been founded by both his father and his grandfather, Hermann Schnaufer, in 1919, shortly after

distillery for wine and liqueur. The distribution channel worked with agents and sales offices throughout Germany.[5]

Schnaufer, at the age of six, went to the local

Ufa film Cadets in Potsdam. The Napola had detached two companies to work on the film, among them Schnaufer. It remains unclear exactly what role he played in this film.[9]

Following his graduation from school, Schnaufer passed his entry exams for officer cadets of the Luftwaffe. He joined the Luftwaffe on 15 November 1939 and underwent his

Bücker Bü 131, the Klemm Kl 35, the Arado Ar 66 and Ar 96, the Gotha Go 145 and the Junkers W 34 and A 35.[3]

Schnaufer then attended the advanced Flugzeugführerschule C 3 (FFS C 3—advanced flight school) at

radio-beacon direction finding and cross country flights.[12]

World War II

Black-and-white photograph of a gritted map indicating the position of radar stations.
A map of part of the Kammhuber Line. The 'belt' and night fighter 'boxes' are shown.

In November 1941, Schnaufer was posted to the II.

Staffel (5./NJG 1—5th squadron of 1st Night Fighter Wing).[12] The Bf 110's of II./NJG 1 at the time were not equipped with airborne radar such as the Lichtenstein radar. Night fighter intercept tactics had matured since their early beginnings in July 1940, and II. Gruppe had already been credited with 397 victories. Missions against enemy bombers at the time were usually flown by means of ground-controlled interception, although the Luftwaffe was already experimenting with airborne radar. This air defence system, consisting of a series of radar stations with overlapping coverage, layered three deep, was conceived by Generalleutnant (lit. Lieutenant General; equivalent to Major General) Josef Kammhuber and was organised in the so-called Kammhuber Line. Conceptually, the system was based on a combination of ground-based radar stations, search lights and a Jägerleitoffizier (fighter pilot control officer). The Jägerleitoffizier had to vector the airborne night fighter by means of radio communication to a point of visual interception of the illuminated bomber. These interception tactics were referred to as the Himmelbett (canopy bed) procedure.[13]

On 15 January 1942, II./NJG 1 transferred to Sint-Truiden—Saint-Trond in the French pronunciation—in Belgium. Schnaufer entered front-line service at a time when the RAF was reassessing the air offensive against Germany. The effectiveness of British Bomber Command to accurately hit German targets had been questioned by the War Cabinet Secretary David Bensusan-Butt who published the Butt Report in August 1941. The report in parts concluded that the British crews failed to navigate to, identify, and bomb their targets. Although the report was not widely accepted by senior RAF commanders, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, instructed Commander-in-Chief Richard Peirse that during the winter months only limited operations were to be conducted. Flight operations were also hindered by bad weather in the first months of 1942, so II./NJG 1 only saw very limited action during that period.[14]

Channel Dash and night fighter pilot

On 8 February 1942, II. Gruppe was transferred to

Stavanger-Sola. Over the following days they operated from the airfield at Forus, making a short-term landing at Bergen-Herdla. In total, Schnaufer made two operational flights without contact with the enemy. Following this assignment they relocated to 5. Staffel's new base in Germany at Bonn-Hangelar via Oslo-Gardermoen, Aalborg, and Lüneburg.[16]

Black-and-white photograph of men and women wearing headsets standing around a table and making notes on a large map.
Radio control center for night fighters, Jägerleitoffiziere and assistants plotting courses and directing the airborne fighters.

Following the analysis of the Butt Report, the British High Command made a number of decisions in February 1942 that changed the nature of the bomber war against Germany. On 14 February,

Air Chief Marshal Norman Bottomley issued the "Area Bombing Directive", which lifted the restrictions placed on the bombers in 1941. Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris, commonly known as "Bomber" Harris, was appointed commander-in-chief of Bomber Command. These decisions, coupled with the introduction of Gee, a radio navigation system which enabled better target-finding and bombing accuracy, led to the first Allied 1,000 bomber raid. In Operation Millennium, the RAF targeted and bombed Cologne on the night of 30/31 May 1942.[17] Schnaufer did not participate in the missions in defence of Cologne. The Himmelbett procedure had limitations in the number of aircraft which can be controlled. Therefore, only the most experienced crews were deployed, and Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer, who had yet to achieve their first aerial victory, were left out.[18] Prior to Operation Millennium, Schnaufer had been appointed Technischer Offizier (TO—Technical Officer) on 10 April 1942 and was located at Sint-Truiden again. As a Technical Officer, Schnaufer was responsible for the supervision of all technical aspects such as routine maintenance, servicing and modifications of the Gruppe. In this role he was no longer a member of the 5. Staffel but was then a member of the Stab (staff) of II./NJG 1.[19]

Schnaufer claimed his first aerial victory on their thirteenth combat mission flown one day after the attack on Cologne on the night 1/2 June 1942. Nominally this was the RAF's second 1,000 bomber raid against Germany, although the attacking force actually numbered 956 aircraft.

landing lights to be permanently on. Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer considered bailing out but decided to make an attempt for their home airfield after they managed to put out the flames and restart the engine. While Rumpelhardt made radio contact with the Sint-Truiden airbase, Schnaufer landed the aircraft without rudder control and on ailerons and engine-power alone.[24] This was the only time that their aircraft sustained damage in combat or any member of the crew was wounded. Both Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer were awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse) for their first aerial victory. Schnaufer had hoped that he could stay on active duty and that the bullet lodged in his calf would isolate itself. However, he had to be admitted to a hospital in Brussels from 8–25 June for surgery. Rumpelhardt was given home leave until 26 June while Schnaufer was in the hospital.[25]

cathode-ray tubes:
 • The left tube indicated other aircraft ahead as bumps.
 • The centre tube indicated range to a specific target and whether they were higher or lower.
 • The right tube indicated whether the target was to left or right.[26]

Schnaufer had to wait two months to achieve another victory, claiming the destruction of two

rear gunner.[38][39]

Rumpelhardt is absent

By the end of 1942, Schnaufer's total stood at seven, with three victories recorded on the night of 1 August, which had earned him the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse) in early September 1942. From 29 November to 16 December 1942, Rumpelhardt was confined to the hospital bed with high fever.[40] Rumpelhardt then attended various officer training courses from February to October 1943. Between 14 May to 3 October 1943, Schnaufer claimed 21 further aerial victories in Rumpelhardt's absence; 12 with Leutnant Dr. Leo Baro, five with Oberfeldwebel Erich Handke, two with Oberleutnant Freymann and two with Unteroffizier Heinz Bärwolf as his radio operators.[41] Unteroffizier Heinz Wenning had also flown with Schnaufer on three flights while Rumpelhardt was out ill.[42]

II./NJG 1 saw little action in the first few months of 1943, and Schnaufer did not claim his next aerial victory until 14 May 1943. II./NJG 1 Himmelbett control areas were located to catch the bombers heading for the

Schaffen Airfield, with all aboard losing their lives.[51][52][53]

In June 1943, Schnaufer filed claims for a further five aerial victories. Schnaufer and Baro were scrambled on 11/12 June in Bomber Command's attack on Düsseldorf, and on 16/17 June in defence of Cologne. However, in both missions they failed to make contact with the enemy. Their next success came when they shot down a Stirling from No. 218 Squadron on 22 June 1943 at 01:33.[54] With Baro on the radio and radar, they managed another victory over a Wellington on 25 June 1943 at 02:58. On 29 June 1943, the two shot down three bombers in another attack on Cologne, a Lancaster and two Halifax bombers at 01:25, 01:45 and 01:55 respectively.[45] This brought the number of aerial victories he was credited with up to seventeen. Schnaufer was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 July 1943.[55] He had been eligible for this promotion since April 1943, why he was overlooked at the time remains unknown.[56]

Schnaufer claimed his last two aerial victories with Baro operating the radio on the night of 3/4 July, Bomber Command had again targeted Cologne. Their victims were a

Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on 26 July 1943.[59]

A Lancaster dropping Window

In mid-July, the Battle of the Ruhr was coming to an end and Bomber Command refocused its efforts on the port city of Hamburg in northern Germany. The codename for the attack was

Y-Verfahren (Y-Control).[62] Schnaufer did not make any claims during Operation Gomorrah. Their next success came when he and Freymann shot down a Lancaster on 10/11 August 1943 at 00:32. The target that night was Nuremberg and it was the first aerial victory of the entire German night fighter force achieved by Y-Control. This was also the last victory with Freymann and his last as a member of II. Gruppe.[63]

Squadron leader of 12.Staffel/NJG 1

Schnaufer was transferred to IV Gruppe of NJG 1 (IV./NJG 1—4th group of the 1st Night Fighter Wing), based in the Netherlands at Leeuwarden Air Base, where he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 12. Staffel (12./NJG 1—12th squadron of 1st Night Fighter Wing) on 13 August 1943. He took over command from Oberleutnant Eberhard Gardiewski, who had been taken prisoner of war.[Note 6] At the time, IV./NJG 1 was under the leadership of Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Jabs. Jabs' first impression of Schnaufer was not entirely favourable. Shortly after Schnaufer's arrival, on one of his first missions in Leeuwarden, Schnaufer had taken right of way during taxiing. This forced Jabs into second place in order of takeoff, an act of insubordination and perceived as arrogant by Jabs.[64]

Schnaufer, who had received the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 16 August 1943, flew his first operational mission with 12./NJG 1 on the night of 17/18 August 1943.[59] Although uncertain, it is assumed that Handke was Schnaufer's radio and radar operator on this mission. Bomber Command had targeted Peenemünde and the V-weapons test centre that night. Schnaufer, who had been tasked with leading one of the first Zahme Sau missions under Y-Control, had to abort the mission early due to engine trouble.[65][Note 7]

Rear view of a Bf 110G's rear cockpit glazing with MG FF/M Schräge Musik.

Around mid-September 1943, the two-man Bf 110 crew was augmented by a third member, sometimes referred to as Bordmechaniker (

No. 218 Squadron Stirling during a Wilde Sau intercept mission.[68]

Following its May 1943 debut in action, during the second half of 1943, Schnaufer and his crew began experimenting with upward-firing autocannons, dubbed Schräge Musik. This allowed the night fighter to approach and attack the bombers from below—outside the enemy crew's usual field of view. An attack by a Schräge Musik-equipped night fighter typically came as a complete surprise to the bomber crew, who realised a night fighter was close by only when they came under fire. It is not exactly known when Schnaufer's Bf 110 was equipped with Schräge Musik. Rumpelhardt stated that the weapons system was installed prior to his return from officer training.[69] It is also not exactly known how many of his victories had been claimed using the upwards firing cannons. According to Fritz Engau, who had known Schnaufer since Flugzeugführerschule C 3, 20 to 30 of Schnaufer's aerial victories had been claimed using upwards firing guns.[70]

Rumpelhardt had returned from his officer training courses in early October 1943 and rejoined Schnaufer's crew. Gänsler, Rumpelhardt and Schnaufer claimed aerial victories 29 and 30 on 9 October.[71] Oberleutnant Schnaufer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 42 victories on 31 December 1943. The presentation was made by Generalmajor (lit. Major General; equivalent to Brigadier) Joseph Schmid, commanding general of the I. Jagdkorps (1st Fighter Corps), on 3 January 1944.[72]

On the night before his 22nd birthday, on 15 February 1944, Schnaufer and his crew claimed aerial victories 45 to 47. Bomber Command had sent 561 Lancasters and 314 Halifax four-engined bombers, supported by de Havilland Mosquito night-fighters and bombers, destined for Berlin.[73] Schnaufer, who had been suffering from stomach pains all day, and his crew returned to Leeuwarden at 00:14. Rumpelhardt had been the first to congratulate him on his birthday over the intercom. Their fellow airmen had prepared a birthday celebration.[74] The stomach pains had become unbearable and Schnaufer was taken to a hospital with appendicitis. He stayed in the hospital for about two weeks before, together with Rumpelhardt, he went on vacation back home. Carelessly lifting his suitcase, he burst his stitches, resulting in further hospitalisation. He flew his first mission after these events on 19 March 1944.[75]

Group commander of the IV./NJG 1

Schnaufer was appointed Gruppenkommandeur IV./NJG 1 on 1 March 1944, taking over command of the Gruppe from Jabs who was given command of NJG 1.

marshalling yard at Aachen.[78]

On 6 June 1944, the

invasion of Normandy General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander, assigned Bomber Command to support the ground forces. On the night of 12/13 June, Schnaufer claimed his first victory following the invasion when 671 bombers attacked various railway targets in France. Schnaufer claimed three bombers shot down that night, the first as a Lancaster and the second and third as a Lancaster or Halifax, between 00:27 and 00:34.[79]

Hauptmann Schnaufer was awarded the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern).[82] Hitler himself made the presentation. It is said that when he came to the presentation his first words were, "Where is the night fighter?"[83] Shortly following the presentation of the Schwerter both Rumpelhardt and Gänsler received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 August. His crew was the only night fighter crew in the entire Luftwaffe of which all crew members wore this decoration.[84]

In early September 1944, NJG 1 was forced to abandon its airfields in the Netherlands and Belgium. Continuous heavy attacks by RAF and USAAF bombers and strafing by Allied

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten) on 16 October 1944.[85] He was the 94th Luftwaffe pilot to achieve the century mark.[86]

Wing commander of Nachtjagdgeschwader 4

Schnaufer was then appointed

newsreels Die Deutsche Wochenschau. Three days later they returned to Gütersloh.[88]

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force pose with Schnaufer's Bf 110G-4 (C3+BA, Stab/NJG 1) at Schleswig, Germany, shortly after the end of the war (19 June 1945)

Schnaufer became the leading night fighter pilot on 9 November 1944. Schnaufer surpassed Oberst

Dortmund-Ems Canal.[89] Schnaufer, whose victory total stood at 106 at the end of 1944, failed to shoot down a single bomber in January 1945. It was his first month without filing a claim since April 1943.[90]

Schnaufer was ordered to Carinhall, the residence of the Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, on 8 February 1945. Göring informed him about the intent to appoint him as Inspekteur der Nachtjäger (Inspector of the night fighter force), a role held by Oberst Werner Streib at the time. Schnaufer pushed back, not wanting to push out his friend and mentor from this position. He argued that he would better serve the German cause fighting the enemy. Göring was convinced and Schnaufer remained in his position as Geschwaderkommodore.[91]

The British propaganda radio station Soldatensender Calais (Soldiers' Radio Calais) congratulated Schnaufer on account of his 23rd birthday on 16 February 1945. The radio station explicitly addressed the soldiers of NJG 4 stationed in Gütersloh followed by the song "Das Nachtgespenst" [The Bogeyman] praising him for the honorary title given to him by the British bomber crews "The spook of St. Trond".[91][92][93]

Schnaufer's greatest one-night success and the second time he became an ace-in-a-day was on 21 February 1945, when he claimed nine Lancaster heavy bombers in the course of one day. Two were claimed in the early hours of the morning and a further seven, in just 19 minutes, in the evening between 20:44 and 21:03.

Chief of the General Staff. Eventually, in October 1944, Schmid won support from Streib, Inspekteur der Nachtjagd, to begin planning an operation.[96][97] Schnaufer voiced his support also. In his experience, he had regularly pursued RAF bombers to the English coast, or least the other side of the frontline. In British airspace, and over territory the Germans did not control, he experienced a lack of radar interference. Schnaufer recalled that he could fly around as if it was peace time, since all British jamming and interference stopped immediately once he was in Allied airspace.[98]

On 7/8 March, he claimed three RAF four-engine bombers for victories 119 to 121. These were his last victories of the war. He was then banned from further combat flying and was given the task of evaluating the then new Dornier Do 335, a twin-engine heavy fighter with a unique "push-pull" layout, for its suitability as night fighter. Disobeying his ban from combat flying, he flew his last mission of the war on 9 April 1945. Attempting to chase a Lancaster, he took off from Faßberg Air Base at 22:00 and landed after 79 minutes at 23:19 without success.[99]

Prisoner of war

Schnaufer was taken prisoner of war by the British Army in Schleswig-Holstein in May 1945. According to Schumann, he was taken to England for interrogation. In this account British authorities were especially interested in knowing whether his achievements had been made under the influence of methamphetamine or other stimulating psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical functions or both, as had been documented in widespread Wehrmacht use and made for the German military by the Temmler-Werke GmbH firm, under the name Pervitin. Schnaufer was released later that year in November following a bout of diphtheria.[100]

According to Hinchliffe, this is an incorrect statement. Hinchliffe based his account on Rumpelhardt's testimony who claims that Schnaufer was never taken to England. Rumpelhardt was released on 4 August 1945 and soon after Schnaufer was admitted to a hospital in Flensburg, ill with a combination of diphtheria and

Air Commodore Roderick Aeneas Chisholm.[102] The German prisoners were brought to Eggebek. Here they conducted a number of interviews with various members of the night fighter force.[103]

Later life and death

Following his release from the hospital and as a prisoner of war—the exact date is unknown—Schnaufer took over the family wine business. He had never planned to run the family winery as his ambition had always been to pursue an officer's career in the Luftwaffe. However, in the immediate aftermath of World War II the business had virtually ceased to exist and Schnaufer was given the task of rebuilding it from scratch. He had to re-establish business links to suppliers and customers and to consolidate them. Then he had to make new contacts in order to facilitate expansion and growth of the business. Lastly, he had to create an infrastructure which supported the growth of the business.[104]

"Quality before Quantity."[105]

Heinz Schnaufer's business motto

As the wine business began to prosper, Schnaufer also gave thought to alternative employment possibilities in peacetime aviation.[105] With his wartime friend Hermann Greiner, he traveled from Weil am Rhein to Bern in Switzerland to meet South American diplomats; the two hoped to find employment as pilots in South America. To get to Bern, they crossed the Swiss-German border illegally.[106] The meeting was a failure. As they attempted to make a second illegal border crossing to return to Germany they were caught by Swiss border guards. The Swiss handed them over to the French occupation authorities and they were imprisoned in Lörrach, where they remained until Schnaufer managed to make contact with a French general, who was a customer of the Schnaufer winery and had them released. This misadventure kept him away from his business for about half a year.[107]

One of the tail fins of Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer's Bf 110. It displays all of his 121 victories, Imperial War Museum (2010)

In July 1950, Schnaufer was on a wine buying visit to France. On the afternoon of 13 July, he was heading south on the

fractured skull, and was immediately taken to the Saint-André Hôpital in Bordeaux.[4]

Schnaufer never regained consciousness and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital two days later on 15 July 1950. The investigation into the accident concluded that though the impact of the two vehicles was severe, it seemed unlikely that the collision itself was the cause of his injuries. It was speculated that at least one of the truck's cargo of 30 empty gas cylinders, which were thrown off by the collision, had struck Schnaufer on the head.[4] Subsequently, the truck driver was charged with manslaughter and breach of traffic regulations before a court at Jauge, Cestas. The hearing began on 29 July 1950 and concluded with his conviction on 16 November 1950. Gasc was found guilty of not yielding the right of way, and his speed was considered too high. It was ruled that as a consequence of not observing the law, he involuntarily caused the death of Schnaufer.[108]

Schnaufer's Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4/U 8 was brought to England after the war. The aircraft was displayed in London's

vertical stabiliser of this twin tailed aircraft, tallying all his victories, is preserved at the Imperial War Museum in London.[110] A fin from another Bf 110 flown by Schnaufer is at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The Calw district Heumaden has a street name "Heinz-Schnaufer-Straße".[111] This street was named after him. In August 1994, a local newspaper published a series about roads named in honor of local personalities, triggering a public debate.[112]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

Schnaufer was the top-scoring night fighter pilot of World War II. He was credited with 121 aerial victories claimed in just 164 combat missions. His victory total includes 114 RAF four-engine bombers; arguably accounting for more RAF casualties than any other Luftwaffe fighter pilot and becoming the third highest Luftwaffe claimant against the Western Allied Air Forces. His flight book indicated 2,300 takeoffs and 1,133 flying hours.[109] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 119 nocturnal aerial victory claims, plus three further unconfirmed claims.[113]

Until late 1944, Schnaufer documented his aerial victories with detailed geographical locations. After this date, he claimed his victories over territory occupied by the Allies, and his victories were logged in a Planquadrat (grid reference), for example "KP-IP".

minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2).[115]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Schnaufer an ace-in-a-day, a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day.
  This along with the + (plus) indicates almost certain identification.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates probable identification.
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates possible identification.
Claim Date Time Type Location Unit Serial No./Squadron No.
– II. Gruppe/Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –
1 2 June 1942 01:55 Halifax II Grez-Doiceau, 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Louvain, Belgium No. 76 Squadron W1064/MP-J*
2 1 August 1942 02:47 Wellington IC 1 km (0.62 mi) southwest of Loon op Zand, Netherlands 25 Operational Training Unit DV439/-H*
3 1 August 1942 03:17 Wellington IC Huldenberg, Belgium 27 Operational Training Unit DV552/UJ-N+
4 1 August 1942 03:45 Whitley V Gilly, Charleroi, Belgium 24 Operational Training Unit BD347*
5 25 August 1942 02:54 Wellington III Near
Loonbeek
, Belgium 		No. 150 Squadron BJ651/JN-M*
6 29 August 1942 01:16 Halifax II Tombeek, 16 km (9.9 mi) southeast of Brussels, Belgium No. 78 Squadron W7809/EJ*
7 21 December 1942 23:53 Lancaster I
Poelkapelle
, Belgium 		No. 106 Squadron R5914/ZN-+
8 14 May 1943 02:14 Stirling I Heerlen, Netherlands No. 214 Squadron R9242/BU-O*
9 14 May 1943 03:07 Halifax II Near
Blanden
, Belgium 		No. 78 Squadron JB873/EY-J+
10 30 May 1943 00:48 Stirling III South of Baelen, Belgium
No. 218 Squadron
 BF565/HA-H+
11 30 May 1943 01:43 Halifax II
Budingen, 7 km (4.3 mi) northwest of Sint-Truiden
, Belgium 		No. 35 Squadron DT804/TL-C+
12 30 May 1943 02:22 Stirling III Schaffen Air Base, 22 km (14 mi) north of Sint-Truiden, Belgium No. 218 Squadron BK688/HA-A+
13 22 June 1943 01:33 Stirling III
Langdorp
, Belgium 		No. 218 Squadron BK712/HA-D+
14 25 June 1943 02:58 Wellington Hamme-Mille, south of Louvain, Belgium
15 29 June 1943 01:25 Lancaster III Solwaster, southeast of Verviers, Belgium No. 97 Squadron LM323/OF-U+
16 29 June 1943 01:45 Halifax V Wandre, northeast of Liège, Belgium No. 76 Squadron DK137/NP-R+
17 29 June 1943 01:55 Halifax II Near Vottem, north of Liège, Belgium No. 35 Squadron HR812/TL-F+
18 4 July 1943 00:48 Wellington X Averbode, 7 km (4.3 mi) northwest of Diest, Belgium No. 196 Squadron HE980ZO-+
19 4 July 1943 01:01 Stirling III Near Geetbets, 9 km (5.6 mi) northwest of Sint-Truiden, Belgium No. 149 Squadron BF530/OJ-B+
20 9 July 1943 02:33 Lancaster III Near Grobbendonk, 23 km (14 mi) east-southeast of Antwerp, Belgium No. 49 Squadron ED663/EA-+
21 11 August 1943 00:32 Lancaster Hähnlein, 25 km (16 mi) south-southwest of Darmstadt, Germany
– 12. Staffel/Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –
22 28 August 1943 03:59 Halifax II
Namur
, Belgium 		No. 102 Squadron JB835/DY-X+
23 31 August 1943 22:41 Halifax II 2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of
Zuider Zee
 No. 35 Squadron HR878/TL-J+
24 31 August 1943 03:53 Wellington X Near Lozen, north of Bree, Belgium No. 166 Squadron HE988/AS-U*
25 24 August 1943 00:09 Halifax II Near Eschede, 20 km (12 mi) north-northeast of Celle, Germany No. 77 Squadron JD379/KN-M*
26 23 September 1943 23:00 Stirling III 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Kirchheimbolanden, Germany
No. 218 Squadron
 EJ104/HA-G+
27 27 September 1943 23:31 Halifax Near Stemmen, west of Stadthagen, Germany
28 3 October 1943 21:50 Halifax II Near Lande, 8 km (5.0 mi) north of Minden, Germany No. 51 Squadron HR728/LK-D?
29 9 October 1943 01:13 Halifax II Near Schwaförden, 9 km (5.6 mi) north of Sulingen, Germany No. 158 Squadron HR945/NP-Y*
30 9 October 1943 01:42 Four-engined bomber Near Holtensen, southwest of Hanover, Germany
31 18 October 1943 20:25 Lancaster III Near Negenborn, north-northwest of Hanover, Germany No. 101 Squadron DV230/SR-T*
32 20 October 1943 19:13 Lancaster III Near Gieten, east of Assen, Netherlands No. 7 Squadron JB175/MG-A+
33 20 October 1943 19:25 Lancaster III Near Harrenstätte, northwest of Werlte, Germany
No. 405 Squadron
 JB348/LQ-R+
34 22 October 1943 21:40 Lancaster III Near Dransfeld, Hanover, Germany No. 57 Squadron JB320/DX-X*
35 23 November 1943 18:50 Lancaster III 2 km (1.2 mi) northwest of Ter Apel, near Emmen, Netherlands No. 405 Squadron JA939/LQ-C+
36 23 November 1943 19:00 Lancaster III Lorup, north-northwest of Cloppenburg, Germany No. 12 Squadron JB537/PH-N?
37 16 December 1943 18:01 Lancaster III Near Follega, Netherlands No. 7 Squadron JA853/MG-L+
38 16 December 1943 18:12 Lancaster I Near Lemmer, Netherlands No. 101 Squadron DV300/SR-W+
39 16 December 1943 18:23 Lancaster III Southwest of Wolvega, Netherlands No. 49 Squadron JB545/EA-O+
40 16 December 1943 18:41 Lancaster II 2 km (1.2 mi) southwest of Wirdum, Netherlands
No. 432 Squadron
 DS831/QO-N+
41 29 December 1943 18:50 Halifax II 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of Meppel, Netherlands No. 10 Squadron JD314/ZA-X+
42 29 December 1943 19:45 Lancaster II Near
Lingen
, Germany
No. 408 Squadron
 DS718/EQ-R+
43[Note 8] 27 January 1944 19:45 Lancaster III Near Essen, 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Quakenbrück, Germany No. 12 Squadron JB283/PH-W?
44 30 January 1944 22:15 Lancaster In GK5, west of Amsterdam, Houtrakpolder, Netherlands No. 97 Squadron JB659/OF-J?
45 15 February 1944 22:58 Lancaster III In the sea, DJ93 No. 103 Squadron ND363/PM-A+
46 15 February 1944 23:19 Lancaster II Near Hoorn, Netherlands No. 115 Squadron LL689/KO-P+[117]
47 15 February 1944 23:33 Lancaster I EL78 in the
Wattenmeer
, Netherlands 		No. 622 Squadron W4272/GJ-C+
48[Note 8] 22 March 1944 23:10 Lancaster III Halle, near Lembeck, 18 km (11 mi) south of Brussels, Belgium No. 9 Squadron LM430/WS-B+
49 25 March 1944 00:12 Four-engined bomber East of Dortmund, Germany
50 25 March 1944 00:21 Lancaster I Neuwarendorf, east of Münster, Germany No. 626 Squadron HK539/UM-A2*
51 25 March 1944 00:41 Four-engined bomber Near Varsseveld, Netherlands, northeast of Emmerich, Germany
– IV. Gruppe/Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 –
52 11 April 1944 23:15 Lancaster III Near Beerse, 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Turnhout, Belgium No. 83 Squadron ND389/OL-A+
53 11 April 1944 23:25 Lancaster I 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Sint-Lenaarts, Belgium No. 49 Squadron LL899/EA-P+
54 25 April 1944 02:03 Lancaster I Near Alken, Belgium No. 115 Squadron HK542/KO-J*
55 25 April 1944 02:28 Lancaster II 3 km (1.9 mi) north of Mechelen, Belgium No. 115 Squadron DS734/KO-Y+
56 25 April 1944 02:30 Halifax III 1 km (0.62 mi) west of Haasdonk, Belgium No. 192 Squadron LW622/DT-R*
57 25 April 1944 02:40 Halifax In the sea at LG 35
58 27 April 1944 02:05 Lancaster III 1 km (0.62 mi) south of Achtmaal, Netherlands No. 156 Squadron JB307/GT-H+
59 27 April 1944 02:18 Lancaster II Over the sea, LG 38 No. 408 Squadron DS719/LQ-U*
60 28 April 1944 01:30 Halifax V 8 km (5.0 mi) north of Aubel, Belgium, 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Aachen, Germany
No. 434 Squadron
 LL258/WL-W+
61 28 April 1944 01:40 Halifax III Verviers, Belgium No. 432 Squadron MZ588/QO-W+
62 9 May 1944 03:34 Halifax III Near Grand-Reng, 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Charleroi, Belgium No. 432 Squadron LW594/QO-G+
63 13 May 1944 00:44 Halifax III Londerzeel, 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Mechelen, Belgium No. 426 Squadron LK883/OW-E*
64 13 May 1944 00:46 Halifax III 5 km (3.1 mi) east-northeast of Hasselt, Belgium No. 158 Squadron HX334/NP-C?
65 13 May 1944 00:48 Halifax III Hoogstraten, 16 km (9.9 mi) northwest of Turnhout, Belgium
No. 466 Squadron
 LV919/HD-O+
66 22 May 1944 01:34 Lancaster 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Mol, Belgium
67 22 May 1944 01:51 Lancaster 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Herentals, Belgium No. 550 Squadron DV309/BQ-S+[118]
68 23 May 1944 01:23 Lancaster I Near Neerpelt, Belgium No. 75 Squadron ME690/AA-Z+
69 23 May 1944 01:36 Lancaster I Near
Brecht
, 22 km (14 mi) northeast of Antwerp, Belgium 		No. 100 Squadron ME670/HW-Q*
70♠ 25 May 1944 01:15 Halifax III 3 km (1.9 mi) northwest of Eindhoven, Netherlands No. 51 Squadron LK885/MH-Z+
71♠ 25 May 1944 01:18 Halifax III 2 km (1.2 mi) north-northwest of Tilburg, Netherlands No. 158 Squadron LW653/NP-T?
72♠ 25 May 1944 01:22 Halifax III 1.5 km (0.93 mi) west of Goirle, SSW of Tilburg, Netherlands No. 76 Squadron MZ622/MP-L*
73♠ 25 May 1944 01:25 Halifax III Between Dongen and Tilburg, Netherlands
No. 429 Squadron
 LW124/AL-N?
74♠ 25 May 1944 01:29 Lancaster 7 km (4.3 mi) southwest of Tilburg, Netherlands
75 13 June 1944 00:27 Lancaster II Avesnes-les-Auvert, east of Cambrai, France No. 408 Squadron DS772/EQ-T+
76 13 June 1944 00:31 Lancaster II Cambrai airfield No. 408 Squadron DS726/EQ-Y*
77 13 June 1944 00:34 Lancaster II Tilloy, north of Cambrai, France No. 408 Squadron DS688/EQ-R+
78 16 June 1944 01:00 Lancaster North of Arras, France
79 17 June 1944 01:54 Four-engined bomber Dreumel, north of s'Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
80 17 June 1944 02:04 Halifax III Berkel, Netherlands No. 77 Squadron NA524/KN-F+
81 22 June 1944 01:25 Lancaster III Valkenswaard, Netherlands No. 44 Squadron LM582/KM-Q*
82 22 June 1944 01:30 Lancaster I 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Meeuwen, Belgium No. 207 Squadron ME683/EM-W*
83 22 June 1944 01:36 Lancaster III 5 km (3.1 mi) south of
Opoeteren
, Belgium 		No. 44 Squadron LM434/KM-F?
84 22 June 1944 02:05 Lancaster I 6 km (3.7 mi) south of
Hamont
, Belgium 		No. 630 Squadron ME843/LE-U*
85 21 July 1944 01:40 Lancaster I 1.5 km (0.93 mi) north of Boxtel, Netherlands No. 90 Squadron LM183/WP-L?
86 21 July 1944 01:51 Four-engined bomber 8 km (5.0 mi) north of Breda, Netherlands
87 29 July 1944 01:38 Lancaster I Pforzheim, Germany
No. 467 Squadron
 ME856/PO-T?
88 29 July 1944 01:50 Four-engined bomber
Eutingen
, near Pforzheim, Germany
89 29 July 1944 01:57 Lancaster I Malmsheim, 20 km (12 mi) west of Stuttgart, Germany No. 106 Squadron ME778/ZN-O?
90 13 August 1944 00:48 Four-engined bomber Wasserliesch, Germany
91 13 August 1944 01:09 Lancaster III Werbomont, south-southeast of Liège, Belgium No. 635 Squadron ND694/F2-R*
92 13 August 1944 01:15 Four-engined bomber Gouvy, 28 km (17 mi) south-southwest of Malmedy, Belgium
93 13 August 1944 01:19 Four-engined bomber 3 km (1.9 mi) west of Mons, near Liège, Belgium
94 12 September 1944 23:07 Four-engined bomber RQ-RP
95 23 September 1944 22:56 Four-engined bomber JP-HP
96 23 September 1944 23:10 Four-engined bomber JO
97 23 September 1944 23:15 Four-engined bomber HO-JO
98 23 September 1944 23:25 Four-engined bomber JN-HN
99 9 October 1944 20:32 Four-engined bomber S of Bochum, Germany
100 9 October 1944 20:55 Four-engined bomber JO
101 6 November 1944 20:55 Four-engined bomber KP-IP
102 6 November 1944 19:34 Four-engined bomber KP-IP
103 6 November 1944 19:41 Four-engined bomber KP-IP
– Stab/Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 –
104 21 November 1944 19:05 Four-engined bomber KP
105 21 November 1944 19:11 Four-engined bomber KP
106 12 December 1944 20:00 Four-engined bomber MO-LO
107 3 February 1945 21:09 Four-engined bomber LO
108♠ 21 February 1945 01:53 Lancaster MM-MN
109♠ 21 February 1945 01:58 Lancaster MM
110♠ 21 February 1945 20:44 Lancaster HQ-HP
111♠ 21 February 1945 20:48 Lancaster HP-HO
112♠ 21 February 1945 20:51 Lancaster HP-HO
113♠ 21 February 1945 20:55 Lancaster HP-HO
114♠ 21 February 1945 20:58 Lancaster IO-JN
115♠ 21 February 1945 21:00 Lancaster JN-KM
116♠ 21 February 1945 21:03 Lancaster KM-KL
—
[Note 9] 		21 February 1945 21:10 Lancaster I KM-KL
No. 463 Squadron
 NG329/JO-Z*
117 3 March 1945 21:55 Lancaster HQ
118 3 March 1945 22:04 Lancaster HQ
119 7 March 1945 20:41 Lancaster LR-MR
120 7 March 1945 20:47 Lancaster LS-MS
121 7 March 1945 21:56 Lancaster GC-HC

Awards

Dates of rank

1 April 1940: Fahnenjunker[10]
1 April 1940: Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter[10]
1 July 1940: Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier[10]
1 September 1940: Fähnrich[10]
1 February 1941: Oberfähnrich[10]
1 April 1941: Leutnant (Second Lieutenant)[10]
1 July 1943: Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant)[10]
1 May 1944: Hauptmann (Captain)[10]
1 December 1944: Major (Major)[10]

Notes

  1. ^ For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces
  2. ^ In 1944, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds was second only to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded only to senior commanders for winning a major battle or campaign, in the military order of the Third Reich. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds as the highest military order was surpassed on 29 December 1944 by the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.[2]
  3. ^ Waltraut married Schnaufer's adjutant, Oberleutnant Georg Fengler, on 15 April 1950.[4]
  4. ^ Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations. For pilots destined to fly multi-engine aircraft, the training was completed with the Luftwaffe Advanced Pilot's Certificate (Erweiterter Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein), also known as the C-Certificate.
  5. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Organisation of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  6. ^ Gardiewski was shot down in combat with a USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress over the North Sea on a daylight mission and was rescued by an RAF air-sea rescue vessel.[64]
  7. Bob Braham, intercepted the German flight, and Feldwebel Georg Kraft and Feldwebel Heinz Vinke were both shot down by Braham. Kraft's radio operator Unteroffizier Rudi Dunger and Vinke were the only ones to survive.[66]
  8. ^ a b According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[116]
  9. ^ Schnaufer did not claim this aerial victory. His cannon had malfunctioned during the attack and the crew did not observe the result of the attack.[119]
  10. ^ According to Scherzer on 3 August 1944.[125]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Spick 1996, pp. 3–4.
  2. ^ Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 3, 7.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Schumann 2000, p. 4.
  4. ^ a b c Hinchliffe 1999, p. 268.
  5. ^ a b Schnaufer—Schlossbergkellerei: The Development.
  6. ^ Schnaufer—Schlossbergkellerei: The Company Formation.
  7. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 18.
  8. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 20–21.
  9. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 21.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Schumann 2000, p. 2.
  11. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 28–30.
  12. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 38.
  13. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 32–37, 39.
  14. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 40–41.
  15. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 41–42.
  16. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 43–45.
  17. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 44–46.
  18. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 47.
  19. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 45–46.
  20. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 47–48.
  21. ^ Foreman, Mathews & Parry 2004, p. 43.
  22. ^ Halifax W1064.
  23. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 49.
  24. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 50.
  25. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 51, 298.
  26. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 56.
  27. ^ Foreman, Mathews & Parry 2004, p. 53.
  28. ^ AR: Wellington DV439.
  29. ^ ASN: Whitley DV439.
  30. ^ Wellington DV552.
  31. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 55–56.
  32. ^ Wellington III BJ651.
  33. ^ Foreman, Mathews & Parry 2004, p. 56.
  34. ^ Halifax W7809-EY.
  35. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 60–61.
  36. ^ Foreman, Mathews & Parry 2004, p. 63.
  37. ^ Lancaster R5914.
  38. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 64–65.
  39. ^ Lancaster Mk I W4234.
  40. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 61.
  41. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 13.
  42. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 72.
  43. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 68, 70.
  44. ^ Stirling R9242.
  45. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 74.
  46. ^ Halifax JB873.
  47. ^ ASN: Stirling BF565.
  48. ^ AR: Stirling BF565.
  49. ^ AR: Halifax DT804.
  50. ^ ASN: Halifax DT804.
  51. ^ ASN: Stirling BK688.
  52. ^ AR: Stirling BK688.
  53. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 75.
  54. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 77–78.
  55. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 87.
  56. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 72–73.
  57. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 81.
  58. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 85.
  59. ^ a b Schumann 2000, p. 5.
  60. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 85–86.
  61. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 88.
  62. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 89.
  63. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 90.
  64. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 91.
  65. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 93.
  66. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 93–94.
  67. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 98–100.
  68. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 102, 299.
  69. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 105–110.
  70. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 62, 112.
  71. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 121.
  72. ^ Schumann 2000, pp. 7, 16.
  73. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 144.
  74. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 145.
  75. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 146.
  76. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 7.
  77. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 174.
  78. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 176, 300–301.
  79. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 179.
  80. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 185–186.
  81. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 189–192.
  82. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 196.
  83. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 201.
  84. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 204.
  85. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 216.
  86. ^ Obermaier 1989, p. 243.
  87. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 18.
  88. ^ Schumann 2000, pp. 18–21.
  89. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 218.
  90. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 230.
  91. ^ a b Schumann 2000, p. 23.
  92. ^ Bowman 2020, p. 132.
  93. ^ Girbig 1975, p. 87.
  94. ^ Foreman, Mathews & Parry 2004, p. 236.
  95. ^ Bowman 2011, p. 26.
  96. ^ Boiten 1997, pp. 48–50.
  97. ^ Parry 2003, pp. 112–113.
  98. ^ Aders 1978, pp. 211–212.
  99. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 24.
  100. ^ Schumann 2000, p. 32.
  101. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 257.
  102. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 248.
  103. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 251.
  104. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 260.
  105. ^ a b Hinchliffe 1999, p. 261.
  106. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 262.
  107. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 263.
  108. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 270.
  109. ^ a b Schumann 2000, p. 29.
  110. ^ Imperial War Museum.
  111. ^ Google 2013.
  112. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, pp. 273–274.
  113. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1149–1152.
  114. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 207.
  115. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 208.
  116. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1150.
  117. ^ Chorley 1992, p. 78.
  118. ^ Chorley 1992, p. 231.
  119. ^ Hinchliffe 1999, p. 302.
  120. ^ a b c Berger 1999, p. 314.
  121. ^ a b Thomas 1998, p. 273.
  122. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 184.
  123. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 417.
  124. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 384.
  125. ^ a b c d Scherzer 2007, p. 675.
  126. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 84.
  127. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 44.
  128. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 38.

Bibliography

Military offices
Preceded by
Oberstleutnant Wolfgang Thimmig
 Commander of Nachtjagdgeschwader 4
20 November 1944 – 8 May 1945 		Succeeded by
none
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Heinz-Wolfgang_Schnaufer&oldid=1212199781"